The seasoned public speaker remains apprehensive when it comes to whether he or she is capable of delivering an effective presentation. The good news is that there are easy ways to improve your public speaking skills. In order to be a good public speaker, start by preparing presentation materials according to the needs of the audience. Then, set aside time to practice a few days in advance. Finally, learn how to build rapport with your audience, pronounce each word with clear articulation, and communicate with body language when giving a presentation.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing Presentation Materials
Step 1. Find out more about your audience
You need to find out how many people will be listening to the presentation. Make sure you know the age, gender, education, socioeconomic status of each participant, and the extent to which they understand the topics to be discussed. Also, consider the audience's perception of you and their expectations by listening to the presentation.
- For example, consider whether you want to explain a topic that your audience doesn't understand or give a presentation to professionals who already know the topic at a glance. This needs to be determined because you have to prepare the material according to the needs of the audience. Don't let them explain things they don't understand or give away a lot of information they already know.
- Presentation material is also determined by the audience's perception of you. If they think you're an expert in the area you're discussing, your presentation should reveal that knowledge and expertise.
Step 2. Determine the intonation of the voice when giving a presentation
The intonation of the voice greatly affects the atmosphere during the presentation so it needs to be adjusted to the audience, the theme of the event, the topics discussed, and the purpose of the presentation. Also consider your personality because the intonation of the voice must sound natural.
- Use a calm tone of voice when explaining a serious topic, but for a dinner party, you can speak in a cheerful and humorous tone.
- In general, speak with the intonation of your voice as if you were having a conversation with someone, regardless of the topic and the size of the audience, but the most important thing is to be honest!
- Don't speak with the same intonation during your presentation. For example, start your presentation by creating a serious atmosphere and then end it with an interesting question and answer session. For this, you need to adjust the intonation of the atmosphere during the presentation.
Step 3. Do research as needed
If you have a good grasp of the topic to be discussed, start preparing material based on the information you know and use a notebook. However, you need to do some research if there are still things you don't understand because the audience may ask questions about the topic you are explaining. In addition, statistical data and supporting facts will be very useful for the audience.
- If you already understand the topic well, start preparing the material before doing your research so you don't waste time looking for information you already know. For example, biologists are able to present the process of cell division without doing in-depth research. It's the same if you want to prepare a speech celebrating your parents' wedding anniversary. Maybe you're ready to give a speech without doing your research first.
- If you don't understand the topic in detail, do some research and then outline the speech. For example, if you want to make a speech at the inauguration of a monument, find out its history and gather detailed information before writing a speech.
Step 4. Outline the presentation if needed
For many people, a presentation outline makes it easier to systematically organize ideas and write well-crafted material. First, write your thesis, purpose, or main idea at the top of the page and then complete it with supporting ideas. Finally, write a conclusion from all the presentation materials.
- Present 3-5 ideas per presentation. Don't give out so much information that the audience has a hard time remembering it.
- After writing 1 idea, provide information to explain the idea.
- Information does not need to be written in full. Write down some key words to remind you what you want to convey.
- Example of a thesis in a speech: "In this exhibition, the artist combines his personal experience and love of color to create beautiful creations that can be enjoyed by everyone".
Step 5. Prepare an opening that makes the audience feel interested
Opening words are sentences or phrases that are able to grab the attention of the audience so that they feel the need to listen to the presentation. In addition, you can ask questions as an opening that will be answered through the presentation. Basically, give reasons so that the audience will want to continue listening.
- Ideally, the opening remarks should be delivered within 30 seconds of the presentation starting.
- For example, say to your audience, "Just like you who have difficulty managing time, I have experienced it too. In the past it took me 1 week; now, I can complete the same work in a day, it's even more productive" or "When I start doing research, I asked myself whether I was able to realize a goal that seemed impossible to achieve?"
Step 6. Insert anecdotes and humor stories
Even though an audience comes to listen to a presentation, many people are easily distracted. To keep them listening and your presentation more interesting, share a humorous story or your experience. This way makes the audience feel connected to you. Don't say things that offend people or are rude.
- Your audience will be more interested in listening if you share a personal experience! Use these tips to make your presentation more engaging and keep your audience focused.
- For example, to start your presentation, tell me about a bad experience you had on your first day at the lab.
- As a preface to opening your office training, tell a funny incident that happened to you while attending a meeting.
Step 7. Prepare information the audience may ask
You need to think about the things that might be asked in order to provide an explanation when giving a presentation. Thus, the audience has obtained information without having to ask. In addition, you don't seem confused if you can't answer if there is a question and answer session.
Reconsider the interests of the audience by asking yourself: what do they expect by listening to the presentation? what is their educational background? Use the information to anticipate questions that may be asked
Step 8. Prepare presentation materials, for example using note cards
While you don't have to give your presentation as you read, have note cards ready to keep you focused and make sure you don't miss any material. Use note cards as reminders by writing down important information so it can be read at a glance if needed.
- So that no material is forgotten, write down a few key words of important ideas as a reminder.
- Do not write complete sentences because this method is not practical. You just need to write some keywords.
- Note cards are very useful, but some people prefer to print the outline of the presentation on paper.
Step 9. Be flexible
Planning is very useful, but we don't know what will happen. Don't let last-minute changes mess things up. You do not need to stick to the material that has been prepared.
For example, you have prepared material for presentation to a group of experts at a seminar tomorrow morning, but tonight, you just received information that the educational background of the audience does not match what you know. In this case, you do not need to present all the materials that have been prepared. Instead, take the time to provide detailed explanations so that all seminar participants can understand the seminar material well
Part 2 of 3: Practice Giving Presentations
Step 1. Practice in front of a mirror
It's normal to feel nervous before speaking in front of an audience, even if you're used to it. This can be overcome by practicing long ago. Speak the presentation material out loud. Practicing in front of a mirror helps you look at yourself to determine the most appropriate standing posture and the gestures and movements that need to be performed.
Step 2. Make a video recording during the practice
Watching recorded practice videos is more beneficial than using a mirror because you can see yourself as the audience sees you! While watching a video, imagine that you are sitting with an audience. Take note of the positive things you did during the presentation and what needs to be improved.
- Record several times if there is still something that needs to be fixed.
- Also, ask a friend to help out by listening to you practice and providing feedback.
Step 3. Practice according to the specified time duration
Usually, the presentation must be done within a certain time frame, it can't be faster or slower. For that, you need to practice so that the presentation is finished on time. Use the timer on your phone, wall clock or watch to determine the duration and make adjustments if needed.
First of all, practice a few times without measuring the time so that you can speak fluently. When you practice for the first time, it may take you a few extra seconds to remember what to say
Step 4. Memorize the important information you want to convey
Memorizing information will make it easier to deliver the material and ensure that all material is presented completely.
Don't memorize the entire material. Memorizing the material in full is not only difficult, you will feel like a robot when speaking in front of an audience. Instead, memorize some important information to make the presentation feel more fluid and more natural
Step 5. Use visuals when practicing
Visual tools, such as PowerPoint, photos, or videos, are useful for improving the quality of your presentation, but can be distracting if you're experiencing technical difficulties. When practicing, get used to using these tools so that you can operate them easily.
- Take advantage of visual means to convey explanations without reading the material from the slides shown because the audience will feel bored if the presentation is done only by reading.
- Consider the possibility of technical problems so that Powerpoint or Prezi cannot be used. Make sure you are ready to give a presentation without these tools.
Part 3 of 3: Giving a Presentation
Step 1. Create an intimate atmosphere before the presentation begins
Take this opportunity to observe the audience's response and determine if you need to make adjustments, for example by canceling telling a humorous story. In addition, you also better understand what the audience expects by listening to the presentation. This step allows the audience to interact personally and feel more familiar with you.
- Stand at the entrance and greet each person who arrives.
- Introduce yourself after all participants have taken their seats.
- If you're sitting in the audience before your presentation, talk to those sitting near you.
Step 2. Read the notes before giving the presentation
To refresh your memory so you don't forget, reread the material 1-2 times a few hours before your presentation.
Don't stress! Make sure that you can remember the material you want to convey
Step 3. Say each word with clear articulation
Speak in a calm and loud voice while pronouncing each word clearly. At times, speaking this way feels very slow, but it's easier for your audience to hear what you're saying.
This tip gives you the opportunity to take deep breaths during your presentation so that the tempo doesn't go too fast
Step 4. Use gestures to emphasize important ideas
Gestures include hand movements and body language that are made consciously while standing on the podium. For example, use your fingers when explaining important information or move your hands down to emphasize a main idea. Use natural gestures because forced gestures make you look like you're pretending.
Don't use gestures that show you're nervous. Make sure each movement is done consciously, not out of agitation
Step 5. Make adjustments based on audience reactions
Sometimes, your audience's response may not match your expectations and this is normal, for example when they don't laugh when you tell a joke. If you experience this, adjust the tone of voice and body language to the audience's reaction.
- For example, if your audience laughs at a humorous story, wait for the atmosphere to calm down before continuing with your presentation. If they don't laugh, but smile or nod, don't stop telling jokes. Keep in mind that audiences in large-participant seminars tend to be more responsive because they don't focus on themselves when in a large group.
- If the audience doesn't seem serious about listening, speak in a lighter tone of voice and provide more explanation.
Step 6. Use audio-visual tools only when needed
The attention of the audience is easily distracted if you use audio-visual tools that are not useful, thus reducing the quality of the presentation.
- Do not read the material from the slides because the audience will feel bored.
- Show interesting audio visuals to complement the presentation material, for example playing a short video about the latest innovations that you find.
Step 7. Engage the audience
The right way to keep the audience listening and able to remember more information is to provide opportunities to ask questions, provide responses, or answer questions.
- Have your audience repeat important phrases you said.
- Invite participants to follow a particular sound or gesture in the appropriate context.
- Ask the audience for examples or suggestions.
- Give the audience a chance to ask questions.
Step 8. Be yourself
Maybe you want to emulate someone's style, but you don't have to be someone else to give a presentation. Participants come because you are the speaker! Show your personality when speaking in front of an audience. You can be a professional speaker and still be yourself.
For example, if you're always cheerful and upbeat, be honest when you speak in front of an audience. You don't have to be a different person by pretending to be
Step 9. Calm down if you feel nervous
It's perfectly normal to feel nervous before speaking in front of an audience. So don't blame yourself. If you're nervous, use these tips to calm yourself down:
- Imagine the presentation went smoothly.
- Focus on the purpose of the presentation, not on the nervousness.
- Breathe deeply and calmly so that you feel calmer.
- Jog in place or straighten your arms up and swing them down a few times to release the energy that triggers nervousness.
- Reduce caffeine consumption if the presentation schedule is near.
- Get used to standing with an upright posture to increase confidence.
Tips
- Don't let anxiety or nervousness discourage you. Accept what you feel and then express it in the form of joy and enthusiasm.
- Remember that no one knows what you want to present, except yourself.
- Audiences come to hear you speak. This means they are interested in what you have to say. Take this opportunity to experience what it's like to be the center of attention!
- Speaking in front of an audience becomes easier the more you present. Don't be discouraged if your presentation doesn't go well the first time you speak to an audience.
- Instead of treating the presentation as a chore, use this best opportunity to share knowledge with others.
